Bhubaneshwar: Orissa Police have arrested 48 officials from different companies in Keonjhar district for allegedly running a racket transporting illegal iron ores from Orissa across Jharkhand with the alleged connivance of railway officials.
"The investigation is progressing. Based on evidence 48 officials have been arrested and investigation will continue. Whoever will be guilty will be brought to book. The transportation of ores was being carried out by a mafia," said Orissa Steel and Mines Secretary Ashok Dalwai.
CNN-IBN had aired the story on how illegal iron ores were being transported from Orissa across Jharkhand.
The ores were being taken to ports along the eastern coast.
Investigators have found that 60 railway rakes out of 150 which were consigned in the month of January were illegal.
A total of 5.44 lakh tonnes of ores worth Rs 55 crore have been seized so far.
The scam came to light when railway rakes were stopped at Keonjhar in Orissa on their way to Vishakapatnam.
The rakes were transporting iron ore worth crores of rupees without any ownership or transport documents.
It led to more seizures of illegal iron ore - one and half lakh tonnes in all from different railway sidings in the district.
Police suspect that highly placed railway officials are also involved in the multi-crore iron ore scam.
Police say that the illegally mined ore is transported to Jharkhand with the help of railway officials.
From Jharkhand the ore is transported to ports like Paradip, Haldia and Vishakapatnam where forged documents are provided and the ore is shipped abroad.
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